“Sometimes, a conversation can help you find your direction”

Not everyone knows what they want to do when they grow up. In fact, many people are still figuring that out well into adulthood, and there is nothing wrong with that. Choosing what to study, finding a first job or deciding which direction to take can feel like a big decision, especially when you have little experience of what the possibilities actually look like.

I was fortunate in that respect. From a young age, I knew I wanted to build yachts, and I went on to spend sixteen years doing exactly that. It became a substantial part of my life, taking me into business, technology, international projects and experiences I could never have imagined when I first started. Looking back, I realise how much easier it was to take those first steps because I had a direction to follow.

But not everyone has that starting point, and even when you do, the path rarely unfolds exactly as you expect.

Compass is my pro bono initiative for young people who are exploring what comes next. Some may be unsure about what to study, while others are considering their first job, thinking about starting something of their own, or simply trying to understand what they might be good at. There is no single question they need to bring, and no particular destination they are expected to reach.

The idea is to have an open conversation, drawing on real experiences rather than theory. I can share some of the things I have learned, including the decisions that worked out, the ones that did not, and the unexpected turns along the way. Sometimes it helps to hear how someone else approached a similar situation. It can open up possibilities, prompt a different question or help you look at your own strengths from another angle.

I am not there to tell anyone what to do or to make decisions on their behalf. Those choices belong to them. My hope is simply that a conversation might help someone recognise their options, feel more confident about exploring them and take a first step that feels right for them.

Compass is offered free of charge. If you know a young person who might find a conversation useful, or if you are that person yourself, you are welcome to get in touch. Sometimes, talking things through with someone who has taken a few different roads can be a useful place to start.

You do not need to have your future figured out to take the next step.